The FF Plus demanded in an urgent letter to the acting Premier of North West, Nono Maloyi, that the province should be formally declared a disaster area in terms of the relevant disaster management legislation.
Devastating veld fires recently swept through the province and destroyed more than 800 000 hectares of grazing land and crops.
Hundreds of livestock and game were killed. Enormous damage was caused to agricultural and power infrastructure as well. Homesteads and workers’ homes were also destroyed by the fires.
Farmers, local communities and fire associations had to manage on their own in an effort to contain the fires and limit the damage.
Several fire associations voiced their frustrations to the FF Plus about the fire-fighting authorities in the province’s apparent inability and seeming unwillingness to cooperate with the associations and farmers to better coordinate firefighting and to make more effective use of scarce resources.
Communication between affected farmers and disaster management authorities was basically impossible seeing as calls to emergency numbers were simply not answered.
This series of fires’ economic and social impact on North West residents is nearly incalculable.
In its letter to the Premier, the FF Plus demands that:
• The provincial government should urgently conduct an investigation to determine the extent of the damage, and announce what steps will be taken to assist the affected residents and communities.
• A mechanism consisting of community organisations, such as fire associations, and the provincial disaster management authorities is implemented to facilitate joint planning, and create coordination and communication structures to effectively prevent and fight veld fires.
• Sufficient funds are earmarked to fund such a mechanism and communication structure.
It is crucial that the ANC-controlled provincial government in North West realises and fulfils its duty and responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of its residents and communities.
North West should no longer have to suffer because of the ANC government’s negligence and apparent indifference towards residents’ safety and interests.
North West deserves better than the ANC.
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